Local

January
- Anna Pettus, Washington County’s 2011 Junior Miss, competed at the Kentucky Junior Miss competition.
- Manton Store closed after 61 years of serving the Manton area. The contents of the store were auctioned off.
- The school district put an extra set of eyes on 21 school buses by installing new cameras. The total cost to equip all the buses was $27,000.
- The school district looked for possible sites for a new high school. Seven people contacted the school board to discuss their property as possible options.

Things are starting to look a little different around the St. Catharine College campus, not just with new construction happening, but also a restructuring of several offices and locations.
The need for additional space on campus has some college offices on the move.

As of January 1, the campus of St. Catharine is legally annexed into the city of Springfield.

The Springfield City Council approved the second reading of an ordinance that annexed the St. Catharine College campus, Sisters of Peace Motherhouse and Sansbury Care Center into the city on Dec. 22 at a special-called meeting at City Hall.
Both the city and the campus benefit from the annexation, according to officials from both sides.

All county offices will be closed for Christmas, Dec 23 thru Dec. 26.
PVA, WC County Clerk, WC Circuit Clerk, and judge’s offices will be closed Dec. 30 thru Jan 2 for New Years.
The sheriff’s office will be open all day Dec. 30 and half a day on Dec. 31, and will be closed Monday, Jan 2.
If you need assistance, please contact the Springfield Police Dept. at 336-5450 and a deputy will be dispatched.

Recognized for the achievements of its Young Farm Program this year, Washington County Farm Bureau received the 2011 Gold Star Award of Excellence during Kentucky Farm Bureau’s annual meeting in Louisville.

The award honors a county’s Young Farmer Committee for its active participation in Farm Bureau leadership development programs, state competitions, and educational or promotional initiatives.

Will Begley, a junior at Washington County High School, has lived in the county his whole life and knows it is the place he wants to return to and eventually raise a family of his own. So he jumped at the chance to participate in Teen Leadership Washington County.

“I really like the smallness and closeness of the community,” he said. “Here you’re an individual, and I want my kids to have the same experiences I’ve had.”

Mackville residents can breathe easier, for now.
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announced last week that it would delay closing or consolidating any post office until May 15, 2012.

According to a press release from the USPS, the decision is in response to a request made by multiple U.S. Senators.
“The Postal Service will continue all necessary steps required for the review of these facilities during the interim period, including public input meetings,” the release stated.

The Weigh Down program has come to an end, but The Biggest Winner aims to offer community members an outlet for weight-loss motivation.
“I was very disappointed with (Weigh Down ending), because I wanted it for myself too. I need some motivation, personally,” Jaclyn Jones, Community Education Director, said.
Between Jones, Fuel Fitness owner Tim Hayes and Laura Peek at the Washington County extension office, a new program was born.